Frances Sorrell

Former consultant anaesthetist Miller and St Alfeges Hospital (later Greenwich District) (b Dublin 1921; q Edinburgh 1945; FFARCS 1955), died from valvular heart disease on 5 November 2001.

Although born in Dublin, Frances grew up in Edinburgh. After early junior posts she experienced general practice, often in the poorer parts of Yorkshire of which she had many fond memories. She became a consultant anaesthetist at the Miller and St Alfeges Hospitals in 1959 and initially was one of only two who worked unstintingly, especially at the time of the Lewisham train disaster. She was involved in the early days of intensive care work, but became increasingly involved in the new concept of pain clinics, and this became the highlight of her career. She retired in 1981, but continued for 10 years in an honorary capacity at the pain clinic at Guy�s Hospital.

Throughout her career she was unusually concerned for her patients and their families and her juniors. Her flat was always open for the latter, particularly overseas registrars, many of whom kept in touch and entertained her in their own homes on her globetrotting.

She was concerned about medical politics and was horrified at some of the changes she saw in doctors� conditions of work and attitudes. She was active in the Greenwich and Bexley division of the BMA, being chairman twice�in 1972 and 1993. She attended several ARMs of the BMA and felt greatly honoured to be made a fellow in 1983 and to receive this from Prince Charles. She was active in the West Kent Medico-Chirurgical Society and was president in 1985.

She had many outside interests and was co-founder of the Joan Seeley Memorial Pain Relief Trust, a committee member of the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and organised the London branch of the Mary Erskine Former Pupils Guild. She became proficient in French and German and was a keen dressmaker and embroiderer, and swam regularly up to six months before she died, just one month following her 80th birthday.

In her work and other activities she was always full of enthusiasm and excited by the achievements of others. She is survived by her nephew and niece and her adoring great-nephew and niece. [Colin Gillespie]

John R Wedley writes: The development of anaesthesia in the past 50 years has been remarkable. Its development depended on anaesthetists like Dr Frances Sorrell. She was head of department at a busy district general hospital. She was open to new ideas and supported the development of obstetric anaesthesia, intensive care, and, in particular, pain relief. She started one of the very first pain relief clinics in the country at Greenwich District Hospital and was eager to pass on her knowledge and skills to her trainees, two of whom went on to establish the first pain clinics in two different London teaching hospitals. Her work in pain also encompassed the developing specialty of palliative care. She was much appreciated by her patients.

In memory of one of her patients a charity was formed that was invaluable in supporting emerging pain clinics in the south east of England at a time when government funding was not forthcoming. Frances was a vigorous supporter of this charity.

She had a strong interest in local anaesthesia and was able to use regional field blocks extensively for even the most major surgery.

She was always eager to teach and was strongly supportive of all her trainees, but in particular she was a champion for any trainee from abroad whom she felt was being disadvantaged by any bias or prejudice within the British system. She became a close friend to many of those whom she trained and will be sorely missed by them.

She was active locally within the BMA and was awarded the BMA gold medal.